Commercial Banking - Customers Solutions Review

I appreciate the fact that NatWest Group have done everything possible to ensure us with an insightful virtual experience, despite the situation we're facing. It was interesting finding out more about the company, roles, and industry as a whole. I would have liked to be even more engaged in the activities. Perhaps provide us with a Basic Finance "Class" and then give us a real case study to sole. Overall, I enjoyed a lot this experience

To be honest, we (interns) haven't done anything in particular. I haven't used my skills, so I cannot tell how appreciated and valued I was. It's difficult to create meaningful relationships online, or to network with seniors and your colleagues. However, our supervisor always made sure to let us know how important we are to them. Their top priority is ensuring that we achieve our maximum potential, and we get the most out of this virtual internship.

I felt like I have received a lot of support and guidance during this virtual experience. At the beginning, when I read everything I had to do even before the start date, I got scared. But we have been guided along the way. Every topic has been explained in detail, and everything we had to do was clear. We were encouraged to ask questions and not be afraid to look "stupid", because clearly if we had a question in mind, someone else had it too.

The virtual experience was focused on Commercial Banking, an I am studying towards a degree in International Economics and Finance, so the things I have learned will be very useful for my future. I will definitely be more I will be using what I have learned in my degree studies and beyond. The subjects approached during the virtual experience were in line with what I have studied until now, and it has been very useful.

We had our Calendar and the events scheduled for the whole period from the very beginning, so it was easy to organize my daily and weekly schedule. If any event was changed or cancelled, they let us know in advance. The amount of time that I dedicated for this was around round 1.5-2 hours daily. I would have expected more, taking into account that this should have been a real life 10 week long internship.

The general atmosphere was a very good one. I felt very supported and welcomed during the entire period. It was really nice hearing about the past experiences of interns and graduates, as well as the ones of more senior people in the bank. The organization puts great emphasis on the well being of their employees. Apart from formal sessions, we also did fun activities, like a virtual escape room, as well as a meditation and mindfulness session.

The company did everything in their power to make sure we get the most out of this experience. Even though we were not physically in the office, they provided high-quality materials (presentations, videos etc), as well as live sessions, so we can learn. I can definitely say that I fell I have grown both professionally, as well as personally, with the help of the firm. From day one, they made sure to provide us with all the insight we need.

Moderately. But this is not the company's fault, but rather the whole situation we are experiencing right now. The firm has provided us with a high-quality and insightful learning experience, but since it was online, it was complicated for us to actually engage and do something. I feel like we have learned in theory a lot about what a future full time role in the company would look like, but we still haven't got the chance to experience it practically. In addition, we only had to be online for 2 hours/day, whether in a full time role, we will be at the office for more than 8 hours, so that's something we have not experienced yet.

100%. From the every first online session, the people from the company gave us a presentation about the company, its goals (both short-term and long- term) and its culture. I found out that NatWest is a purpose led organization, and that sustainability is something they take very seriously, as well as the possibility of giving back to the community and helping businesses thrive. I was pleased to find out that the bank is actually much more than I actually thought. I feel that I have learned a lot about the culture and I can see myself working there in the future.

Very valuable. I know from before starting college that I wanted to work in the financial industry, but I did not know how many branches there actually are out there. When I first started to look into the industries within a bank, I understood what a complex and interesting world this is. The experience in Commercial Banking has made me realize that I want to follow a career in this industry, because I like working closely with clients.

Yes, I have been paid for the entire period, as if the internship would have taken place physically. More specifically, The initial duration of the internship was 10-weeks, and it was supposed to be in-person, in the UK. After the Coronavirus crisis started to emerge, they have decided to move the internship virtually, and made the period shorter (only 4 weeks). I was paid in full for the entire 10 weeks. I was also reimbursed some travel expenses from when I went to the interview.

Yes, but quite limited. Again, this was mostly because of the situation. It is really difficult to build meaningful relationships online, and even more difficult to stand out or network properly through a screen. It is not so easy to loosen up and be more relaxed. However, we had numerous speakers that provided us with their contact (email, LinkedIn etc), and they encouraged us to reach out for anything we might need. This was actually very useful, but still not as the face-to -face interaction.

Yes, but all of the online/ virtual.

Yes, there were plenty of activities that we could have done outside of work. More specifically, the supervisors gave as a "challenge", the 2.6 challenge, where we needed to form 6-members teams and organize a found raising for the Princes Trust. This was an interactive activity, very interesting. Me and my team decided to run 26 Km to support the cause. It was quite challenging, cause I am not used to running (nor am I too fit), but it was ice to have a purpose and work together with other interns for a common goal.

Yes, I feel that it would benefit everyone interested i these kind of activities.